Boris Godunov - San Francisco Opera

and rap on his metal hat. The yuródivïy has a kopek, which the urchins promptly steal. He
whines pathetically. The Tsar's retinue issues from the Cathedral. The boyars distribute
alms. In a powerful chorus ("Benefactor father (Give us bread)"), the hungry people beg
for
bread. As the chorus subsides, the yuródivïy's cries are heard. Boris asks why he cries.
The yuródivïy reports the theft of his kopek and asks Boris to order the boys' slaughter, just
as he did in the case
of the Tsarevich. Shuisky wants the yuródivïy seized, but Boris
instead asks for the holy man's prayers. As Boris exits, the yurodivïy declares he cannot
pray for Tsar Herod. The yuródivïy then sings his lament ("Flow,
flow, bitter tears!") about
the fate of Russia.
9. The Faceted Palace in the Moscow Kremlin (1605).
A session of the Duma is in progress. [The assembled boyars listen as Shchelkalov informs
them of the Pretender's advance and requests they decide his fate.] After some arguments,
the boyars agree ("Well, let's put it to a vote, boyars"), in a powerful chorus, that the
Pretender and his sympathizers should be executed. Shuysky, whom they distrust, arrives
with an interesting story. Upon leaving the Tsar's presence, he observed Boris attempting
to drive away the ghost of the dead Tsarevich, exclaiming: "Begone, begone child!" The
boyars accuse Shuysky of spreading lies. However, just at that moment, Boris enters,
echoing Shuysky: "Begone child!" The boyars are horrified. After Boris comes to his
senses, Shuysky informs him that a humble old man craves an audience. Pimen enters and
tells the story ("One day, at the evening hour") of a blind man who heard the voice of the
Tsarevich in a dream. Dmitry instructed him to go to Uglich and pray at his grave, for he
has become a miracle worker in heaven.
The man did as instructed and regained his sight.
This story is the final blow for Boris. He calls for his son, declares he is dying ("Farewell, my
son, I am dying"), and gives him final counsel.
In a very dramatic and moving scene ("The
bell! The funeral bell!"), he dies.
10. A Forest Glade near Kromï (1605).
Tempestuous music accompanies the entry of a crowd of vagabonds who have captured
the boyar Khrushchev. The crowd taunts him, then bows in mock homage ("Not a falcon
flying in the heavens"). The yuródivïy enters, pursued by urchins. He sings a nonsensical
song ("The moon is flying, the kitten is crying"). The urchins greet him and rap on his metal
hat. The yuródivïy has a kopek, which the urchins promptly steal. He whines pathetically.
Varlaam and Missail are heard in the distance singing of the crimes of Boris and his
henchmen ("The sun and moon have gone dark"). They enter. The crowd gets worked up
to a frenzy ("Broken free, gone on a rampage") denouncing Boris. Two Jesuits are heard in
the distance chanting in Latin ("Domine, Domine, salvum fac"), praying that God will save
Dmitriy. They enter. At the instigation of Varlaam and Missail, the vagabonds prepare to
hang the Jesuits, who appeal to the Holy Virgin for aid. Processional music heralds the
arrival of Dmitriy and his forces. Varlaam and Missail evidently do not recognize him as the
companion they chased into Lithuania, and glorify him ("Glory to thee, Tsarevich!") along
with the crowd. The Pretender calls
those persecuted by Godunov to his side. He frees
Khrushchev, and calls on all to march on Moscow. All exeunt except the Yuródivïy, who
sings
a plaintive song ("Flow, flow, bitter tears!") of the arrival of the enemy, of darkness
coming, and of woe to Russia.
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